Things to Do: Arts & Museums

American Precision Museum196 Main Street, Windsor, VT, 05089802-674-5781www.americanprecision.orgThe museum preserves the heritage of the mechanical arts, celebrates the ingenuity of mechanical inventors and draftsmen, and explores the effects of their work on our everyday lives. Housed in the original Robbins & Lawrence Armory, the museum holds the largest collection of historically significant machine tools in the nation. Hours: Late May-October 31, daily, 10:00am-5:00pm. Cost: Adults, $7.50; students, $4; family, $19.50.

Black River Academy Museum14 High Street, Ludlow, VT, 05149802-228-5050bramvt.orgThe three-story academy building, which once housed the Academy (Calvin Coolidge's alma mater), is now a historical museum for the town of Ludlow. There are academy memorabilia, 19th-century furnishings, costumes, tools, farm implements, a Finnish exhibit, Coolidge memorabilia, and a textile school offering courses in weaving, spinning and quilt making. Hours: June-Columbus Day, Tuesday–Saturday, 1:00pm–4:00pm; winter hours by appointment.

Billings Farm & Museum69 Old River Road, Woodstock802-457-2355www.billingsfarm.orgOne of the finest dairy farms in America and an award-winning museum of Vermont’s rural past. Engaging farm life exhibits, 1890 Farm House.

Chaffee Center for the Visual Arts16 South Main Street (Route 7), Rutland, VT, 05701802-775-0356www.chaffeeartcenter.orgThe Chaffee Art Center represents more than 200 artists working in virtually every medium from painting, sculpture, and photography to ceramics, printmaking, and fine furniture. Housed in a Victorian mansion. A gift shop is open on the premises. Hours: Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, 10:00am-5:00pm; Thursday, noon-5:00pm. Closed Sunday and Monday

Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park60 Old River Road, Woodstock 802-457-3368www.nps.gov/mabi Vermont’s only National Park and home to pioneer conservationist George Perkins Marsh, the park includes a model forest. Tours of the forest, mansion, and gardens are offered daily.

Montshire Museum of Science 1 Montshire Road, Norwich802-649-2200www.montshire.org This hands-on museum offers dozens of exhibits relating to the natural and physical sciences, ecology, and technology. The building is located on a 110-acre site near the Connecticut River, and the museum’s outdoor environment is a large part of the visitor experience. Science Park is a two-acre exhibit area in a park-like setting. Also outside is a network of easy-to-moderate walking trails for visitors of all ages and fitness levels. Hours: Open 10:00am-5:00pm, seven days a week, except Thanksgiving Day and Christmas.) Admission: One day pass is 12 for adults and $10 for children age 2–17.

New England Maple MuseumRoute 7, Rutland, VT, 05763802-483-9414www.maplemuseum.comVisitors to this museum will learn all about the manufacture of Vermont maple syrup. Exhibits include demonstrations of sap collecting, candy-making, and syrup making. A slide show and tastings are included, and a gift shop is open on the premises. Hours: May 23-October 31, daily, 9:00am-5:00pm; November 1-December 23, daily, 10:00-4:00pm; January & February, closed; mid-March-May 22, daily, 10:00am-4:00pm.

Norman Rockwell Museum of Vermont654 Route 4 East, Rutland, VT 057011-877-773-6095www.normanrockwellvt.comA comprehensive and chronological display covering the entire span and diversity of Rockwell's career. The collection shows the development of Rockwell as a commercial illustrator and reflecting the political, economic and cultural history of the united Sates in the first three quarters of this century. Collection dates from 1911 until his death in 1978. Gift shop and gallery, in-house matting and custom framing. Hours: Daily, 9:00am-5:00pm.

Pentangle Arts Council 31 The Green, Woodstock802-457-3981www.pentanglehearts.org Historic Town Hall Theatre and first run movies on the biggest screen in the Upper Valley. Features state-of-the-art Dolby digital sound in an old-fashioned setting. Full concessions featuring maple popcorn.

President Calvin Coolidge State Historic Site3780 Vermont 100a, Plymouth802-672-3773historicsites.vermont.gov/directory/coolidgeThe birthplace of the 30th President of the United States. Homes remain as they were at the beginning of the century. New museum and Education Center; state-of-the-art interpretive exhibits with period newsreels, audio recordings, flip books, and oral responses from Calvin Coolidge. Fine perennial gardens. National Historic Landmark Plymouth Cheese Factory open and making cheese regularly for the public to view.

Vermont Ski MuseumOne South Main Street at The Perkins Building, Brandon, VT, 05672802-253-9911www.vtssm.comThis museum contains exhibits that focus on the history of skiing in Vermont. Hours: Daily except Tuesday, noon-5:00pm. Admission: Suggested donation is $3 per person or $5 per family.

Woodstock Historical Society/Woodstock History Center 26 Elm Street, Woodstock802-457-1822www.woodstockhistorical.org The 1807 Dana House Museum is open seasonally from mid-June to mid-October displaying 19th century furnishings, art, toys, furniture, tools, china, textiles, and clothing. The History Center, featuring an extensive research library and archive, is open year-round and offers a variety of monthly programs and events.